Sky Sports presenter Andy Gray has been sacked after he made sexist remarks about a female match official – and new evidence of “unacceptable behaviour” emerged.
Former Everton cult hero Gray was initially disciplined over off-air comments about assistant referee Sian Massey before Saturday’s Premier League match between Wolverhampton and Liverpool.
But Sky Sports has now issued a statement saying Gray’s contract had been terminated.
It continued: “The decision, which is effective immediately, was made in response to new evidence of unacceptable and offensive behaviour.
“The new evidence, relating to an off-air incident that took place in December 2010, came to light after Andy Gray had already been subjected to disciplinary action for his comments of January 22, 2011.
The off-air incident in December involved video footage showing Gray asking a female co-presenter to “tuck this in”, gesturing towards his waist.
Barney Francis, managing director of Sky Sports, commented: “Andy Gray’s contract has been terminated for unacceptable behaviour.
“After issuing a warning yesterday, we have no hesitation in taking this action after becoming aware of new information today.”
In the wake of the sacking, Miss Massey announced she has withdrawn from tonight’s League Two match between Crewe and Bradford.
Gray and his colleague Richard Keys originally came under fire after footage of them talking about the official was leaked to a Sunday newspaper.
The men were filmed agreeing women “probably don’t know the offside rule”.
Sky Sports reporter Andy Burton has also been taken off the air for his involvement in the exchange.
Burton initially described 25-year-old Miss Massey as “a bit of a looker”, referring to comments by another colleague.
The reporter continued: “He (a Sky Sports crew member) says she (Massey) is all right. Now, I don’t know if I should trust his judgement on that?”
Gray replied: “No, I wouldn’t. I definitely wouldn’t… I can see her from here.”
He then swore and added: “What do women know about the offside rule?”
Despite criticism by Keys and Gray, Miss Massey ended up correctly calling a crucial borderline decision in Saturday’s match.
The PE teacher, who is engaged to a fellow referee, is one of only two female officials operating as an assistant in the Barclays Premier League and npower Football League.
The Scot is widely rgearded as the voice of Sky Sports, however he must now seek other work after his sacking.
Irish News Review 